How to Become a Registered Nurse

"No man, not even a doctor, ever gives any other definition of what a nurse should be than this - 'devoted and obedient" - Florence Nightingale.

Nursing is emerging as one of the most popular professions in the health care industry and so the great demand for qualified registered nurses. It's a well recognized and rewarding occupation which involves a high level of training. There are a number of places where a registered nurse can work, which includes hospitals, community centers, schools, workplaces and homes.

The first prerequisite for becoming a registered nurse is to have a basic educational qualification, i.e, a GED or high school diploma. The other prerequisites are as follows:

Advanced Qualifications

An advanced qualification would be either a Master's or a Bachelor's degree of Science in Nursing or a diploma. An associate degree in nursing is also available. In order to get admitted to a recognized university or a college, a good SAT or ACT score can be helpful.

Diploma in Nursing: This course, administered in hospitals, is usually a three-year course that emphasizes on practical nursing experience.

Bachelor's Degree of Science in Nursing (BSN): This course is offered by many universities and nursing schools, and it is a four-year program. Initially, this course covers key areas of study like the psychology, biology, nutrition and diet, anatomy, organic chemistry, etc. Later on it moves to nursing-specific subjects such as maternal and child care, psychiatric nursing, pharmacology, bioethics, etc.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): This is a two-year program and is most preferred as it is less expensive and gives a hands-on experience of the job. It mainly prepares the students for technical and theoretical proficiency in the field of nursing. You can also obtain the above nursing degrees online, as there are several universities offering online nursing degrees.

NCLEX-RN

To obtain a license as a registered nurse one should qualify the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This examination is administered by National Council of State Boards of Nursing. It tests the competency, skills and knowledge of the individual required for the practice of nursing at the entry level in the US states and territories. Once the license is obtained it needs to be renewed as per the guidelines of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. In some states, continuing education beyond a diploma or a Bachelor's degree, even after obtaining the license is required. Obtaining a Master's degree of Science in Nursing is required if you wish to work as a Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).

In addition to the above mentioned procedures, while pursuing the course, you can volunteer to work at a medical setup to gain experience and enhance your knowledge base as a registered nurse. The aim of a registered nurse should be to deliver complete holistic health care services to the patients. Becoming a registered nurse does not involve only the theoretical and practical aspect, but it also requires a lot of dedication and passion towards the profession.